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Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Scheduling, scheduling, scheduling

So as part of a return to my regularly scheduled life yesterday, it was time to get caught up with doctor appointments. First I called physical therapy about my ankle. I had seen the doctor a week and a half ago and she said 'I'll fax your order to PT and they should call you Monday'. Hah, I knew better so I planned on calling in a week myself. I called and they said 'we are running a six week backlog'. SIX WEEKS? The whole point is to heal my ankle... So she helpfully suggested I call other places (and was surprised the doctor wasn't aware of the backlog - all doctors knew about it). And I was told the woman who helped me with my back last year is now gone so there is no way I can get here - time to break in a new PT person (they cringe with my medical history).

So I called the hospital's less local PT area, and they said 'six weeks is way too long to wait, let me get your orders faxed here and see what we can do'. They called me back and I now am going next Wednesday for PT assessment and then have PT sessions scheduled twice a week for three weeks - and they are all at 730AM or 630PM. Gee, they can see my perky side first thing in the morning. Maybe I'll bring them coffee or something.

Then with that scheduling debacle resolved, for the third time, I called my radiation oncologist's office to find out about when my next follow up is planned. I had completely forgotten to ask when I saw her last when I would see her again. The first two calls were answered by Ann-the-idiot (see my post from August about her) and I never got a return call or anything scheduled. My next call was going to be to the nursing supervisor to get an answer and file a complaint. But now I know she is an idiot and if she answers when I call again, my request will be to speak with someone who knows what they are doing.

Anyway, I got a nurse on the phone who could locate and read the doctor's notes. Apparently the doctor wants to see me back on a three month recall instead of six. This seems like a little back step to me but since I am the patient patient, I will bide my time and talk to her when I see her in December (which isn't really three months, but four since the idiot didn't resolve my earlier requests, there is nothing available sooner). I definitely will plan on asking the doctor about a three month call back instead of six but this is the same doctor who is very proactive on tests, etc to correctly diagnose issues. And between PT and doctor appointments, I have 11 trips planned to the hospital in the next six weeks. I can't wait. And none of them coincide with the flu shot clinic so I will have to make a separate trip.

Otherwise, I sort of feel like I am getting back on top of things. I have a horribly overscheduled week, instead of an overscheduled day. But I am back home and Walter is back home so we are all back together again.

1 comment:

Hey Caroline, just read your blog and wow, what an amazing journey you've taken and are still on. I watched my friend Tisha go through breast cancer and she video blogged her way through breast cancer...amazing and heart wrenching to watch. I've had several family members go through cancer and watch chemo rip them apart from head to toe. So, it got me researching on other treatments that are out there and come to find out there is a company investing in a new immunotherapy treatment that's currently in FDA trials to be patented. So far success rate in clinical 1 & 2 are over 50%...for whatever its worth to you or others, it's a place that I recommend to invest in if you invest.

Quotes

Don't worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try.

Of all the things I've lost I think I miss my mind the most.

Flowers make me smile

Blog info

If you want to follow my story and ramblings through the medical world, you need to start reading the oldest post first which is at the very bottom or you can jump to it by going to June 2007 and look for 'My Big Announcement'. I started this blog so I could keep my friends and family up on my dealings with breast cancer but now it has evolved into my take on the medical world as well as my medical ups and downs. I have not listed my email address but if you know me, you know how to contact me. I always welcome emails. You can also find me on Twitter @carolinemfr and on Facebook. Otherwise, feel free to leave a comment!

But no I do not write about suggested topics or other people's blogs or other ailments so do not bother asking. Sorry.